Development and validation of a short form of the social role participation questionnaire in patients with ankylosing spondylitis

Objective. The Social Role Participation Questionnaire (SRPQ) assesses the influence of health on 11 specific roles and 1 general role along 4 dimensions. In this study, a shortened version of the SRPQ (s-SRPQ) was developed in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) to facilitate data collection in clinical studies and practice.

Methods. Using data from 246 patients with AS and population controls, the fit of each role to the different participation dimensions, the contribution of each role to the measurement precision, and the correlation between dimensions were evaluated using item response theory. Representation of the 3 participation chapters of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health was ensured. Reliability of each dimension of both versions of the SRPQ was compared by correlating scores to the Medical Outcomes Study Short Form-36 (SF-36) and the Satisfaction With Life Scale (SWLS), and by comparing ability to discriminate between patients and controls and between patients with low and high disease activity (Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index = 4).

Results. The s-SRPQ, which assesses participation across 6 social roles along 2 dimensions (physical difficulty and satisfaction with performance), was proposed. Both dimensions of the s-SRPQ were highly reliable (r = 0.86) and were shown to have construct validity as indicated by a similar pattern of correlations with the SF-36 and SWLS as the original SRPQ dimensions. Both versions discriminated well between patients and controls and between patients with high versus low disease activity (relative validity = 0.72).

Conclusion. The s-SRPQ retains the measurement properties of the original SRPQ and seems useful for measuring the effect of AS on participation.